General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 4

General News

Blackout Time. The time for drawing of blinds in Wanganui to-day is 7 p.m. Girl Essayists The first five places in the recent essay competition run in conjunction with the “Weapons From Waste Week” in Wanganui were filled by girls. More Slit Trenches. Six more slit trenches have been completed by City Council workmen in Moutoa Gardens, bringing the total in that reserve up to 15. These provide accommodation for over 450 people. Inter-house Rowing Races for the inter-house rowing championship of the Wanganui Coilegiate School will commence on the Wanganui River this afternoon. The course is from the Plymouth Street groyne to Dallas’ wharf. National Savings Quota. For the 21st week in succession the National Savings flag was hoisted at the Chief Post Office yesterdav, indicating that Wanganui’s quota for the week had been reached. This early fulfilment was made possible by a contribution soon after noon yesterday. Married Men Depart for Camp Married men without children called up in January for Territorial service left for camp yesterday. Those who departed for camps outside the district were farewelled by large crowds on the Wanganui railway station. Parikino Sports Club. A decision to abandon the annual sports club meeting for the current year and to utilise the funds of the club in the purchase of National Savings bonds, was made at a special meeting of the Wanganui River Spillers’ Sports Club recently. In order to retain interest in the club a sports picnic is to be held at. Parikino on Saturday, April 11. Emergency Traffic Police Section leaders were appointed at a. meeting of the emergency trallß police, Wanganui district, in the Victoria Hall. The area officer, Inspector P. L. Rouse, presided over an attendance of about. 50. He asked for the full co-operation of members, who, in a vote of thanks, expressed appreciation of the work of organising done by Inspector Rouse. Record Price for Wool. The record price of 16d per lb. for Romney rams’ wool, and 16id for Southdown-cross, was attained by Messrs. A. G. Coleman and Sons, of “The Ngaios,” .Marton, at the Wanganui wool appraisal yesterday. This is the highest, price secured in New Zealand during the past year. Valuers spoke in high praise of the careful get-up of lhe consignment. Freemasons’ Dress. The time-honoured custom of Freemasonry, under which, members of lodges attend their meetings in the conventional evening dress, has been suspended in many ledges for the duration of the war. The reason for lhe change is that members are liable tn be called away at any hour for duties with the E.P.S. or Home Guard. The same change was made by the lodges in Great Britain some time Books and Magazines Wanted. More books and magazines arc wanted by the Wanganui Public Library for distribution among men in military camps, and gilts of bundles of suitable reading material will be appreciated. Recently a consignment) of books was sent to camps in the southern portion of the North Island, and this has left, stocks at the library rather low. It is felt that many households may have periodicals which they can spare for the men in camp. Late Shopping Night Wanganui will nave no late shopping night, if the Government inu.cates that its abolition is desired. 'ilL--was intimated by the president of the Wanganui Retailers' Association, Mr. G. E. Bennett, who said that if the Government notified the association that it was necessary to close the shops, Wanganui wouid fall into line immediately. Auckland has abolished the late night and Wellington is considering doing so, said Mr. Bennett yesterday. School Cricket Captain’s Century Playing bright cricket, Newma.; • (captain of the Wanganui Collegiate; School first, eleven) Knocked up tiie line total of 117, in 80 minutes, in the : annual cricket match against New ( Plymouth Boys' High School at New Plymouth yesterday. At. the close of play for the day New Plymouth were all out (or 147 with wickets divided. Collegiate School m/.ide 200 for four wickets (Marsh 27, Wake 32 and Newman 117). The game will be concluded to-day. No. 3 Appeal Board. After hearing the last of appeals set down for the sitting in Wanganui yesterday, members of the No. ,’> Armed Forces Appeal Board left, by the afternoon express for Stratford, where a sitting has been arranged for to-day. Next, week lhe board will deal with appeals lodged by reservists living in Marton, Taihape and Ohakune districts. The board hears appeals lodged by men drawn in ballots for overseas service, and b\' reservists called up in Territorial ballots who appeal on grounds of conscientious objection. Rainfall in Bulls. Rain fell in Bulls on 10 days last month, the- total being 2.98 inches, making 5.10 inches for the first two months of 1942. as against 7.29 inches for 1941 according to Mr. K. N. | Dalrymple, of Parawanui. The aver-1 age rainfall for February for the I past 40 years is 2.70 inches, ranging I from .40 inches in five days in 1939 to | 7.63 inches on 16 days of 1936. The fall of .49 inches on two days for February, 1909, .nd .45 inches on three days in 1908 are the two best summer months over that period. Cloud recorded for last month is well above the average for February. Cigarettes in Australia. New Zealand visitors to Australia express amazement at the price they have to pay for cigarettes and the difficulty they experience in obtaining them. One man went to three of Sydney’s largest hotels before he was able to buy half a packet and it was his general experience that no tobacconist would sell more than one packet to one person. Types which cost 7d for ten in Wanganui are 8d for nine in Sydney, and others which can be bought, for 9d for ten in Wanganui cost lid for nine in Australia. In addition, the cigarettes are noticeably smaller than those smoked in New Zealand, being at least a quarter of an inch shorter. Need for Barbed Wire. “The need in New Zealand to-day for barbed wire is urgent; the Army requires every available yard,” a representative of the military authorities told a meeting of the North Canterbury Primary Production Council. All wire would be paid for at 43s 6d a cwt., and hairs would not be split about used wire—it was all needed and would be paid for, as long as it was not rusty, the speaker said. Wire which was already on fences was not wanted at present, but a scheme was under way whereby fence wire would he wanted. The Army realised that labour would then have to be provided. “And I can give you an assurance that wire which is given today will be used to-morrow—the need is urgent, and there will be no delay,” speaker concluded. A